McGill University Health Center
General Thoracic
Member Since: 2023
Biography:
Dr. Jonathan Spicer is an associate professor of surgery at McGill University, where he is the medical director of the McGill University Health Center (MUHC) Thoracic Oncology Network. He chairs the McGill regional thoracic oncology tumor board and is co-director of the MUHC thoracic oncology clinical trials unit. He trained in general surgery at McGill University and subsequently in cardiothoracic surgery at the University of Texas, MD Anderson Cancer Centre. Dr. Spicer is a surgeon scientist leading a broad research program covering basic, translational and clinical research topics.
On a basic science front, Dr. Spicer is recognized as a leader in our understanding of how neutrophils impact cancer progression, and in particular, on the role of neutrophil extracellular traps in cancer biology. On a clinical front, Dr. Spicer has developed one of the most active research programs in the area of neoadjuvant precision therapy for operable lung cancer. His expertise in this domain is evidenced by clinical trial leadership roles at national and international levels for several peri-operative lung cancer trials. He is an expert in enhanced recovery protocols for surgery and his clinical practice is focused on minimal access techniques for pulmonary surgery and extended resections for thoracic malignancies. He is also the program director for the McGill Advanced Thoracic and Upper GI Surgical Oncology Fellowship.
What Does the AATS Mean to You:
The AATS represents the highest academic and professional standards for our discipline. There is tremendous history and leadership through this organization and it is one that has played a pivotal role in my professional career from my first faculty appointment.
My First Experience with AATS:
I was fortunate to be a recipient of the third Alton Ochsner Research Fellowship when I began as an assistant professor at McGill in 2015. This grant really helped launch my research career and supported my lab in those crucial years where I had yet to secure other sources of funding.
Why I became an AATS member:
I became a member because the opportunities that the association provides are unparalleled. I was fortunate to be sponsored by someone for whom I have enormous respect and the thought of giving back to our specialty seems to best accomplished through invo
The most impactful presentation I have seen at an AATS meeting:
There have been many, but perhaps Dr Nasser Altorki's presentation of the CALGB sublobar versus lobectomy trial was the biggest highlight. This work that spanned well over a decade and was so informative to our daily practice was very inspiring.
The first presentation I gave is:
I can't say I remember which presentation was the first that I've given at AATS, but it is always an enormous honour to present at the annual meeting. It is the premier venue to share new data for dissemination to our thoracic surgery colleagues.
The first paper I had published is:
My first paper came out from my research work as an honours undergrad research student. It was on the aging neuromuscular junctions for smooth muscles in mice and it has nothing to do with anything I ever worked on thereafter! But it was a pivotal experience about what it takes to get original science published.
I plan on becoming more involved in the organization through:
I have a mix of extreme enthusiasm and concern for our specialty going forward. I want young trainees and new faculty to have exciting and fulfilling careers. There are many major challenges ahead and disruptive science that will no doubt dramatically change the nature of our practice. I want to give back to the organization in a manner that helps future thoracic surgeons thrive in this changing environment.
My First Experience with AATS:
I was fortunate to be a recipient of the third Alton Ochsner Research Fellowship when I began as an assistant professor at McGill in 2015. This grant really helped launch my research career and supported my lab in those crucial years where I had yet to secure other sources of funding."
My career in CT Surgery was inspired by:
I was inspired to become a thoracic surgeon by one my most important role models, Dr. David Mulder. I rotated on his service as a medical student and really haven't looked back since. He is the reason I've gone into CT Surgery and I consider myself very lucky to have him as a colleague and mentor today!
A significant case/patient interaction that impacted my career is:
I remember vividly Dr. Mulder operating on a young man with a desmoid tumor the size of a football. It was a massive resection and an even more complex reconstruction. The patient did remarkably well despite this enormous surgery and remains alive today some 20 years later. I was so impressed by what surgical technique could accomplish when well executed. This experience has stuck with me and the fact that our approach to these tumors has changed so much in that time frame is also an important reminder that we can do a lot with surgery, but that we must be experts about the disease for the patient's benefit first and surgeons second.
The biggest impact my mentor had on my career is:
He was the ultimate role model who led by example. I admired the way he treated all members of the hospital staff and care team with respect and kindness. He seemed impervious to all the pressures surrounding his work and executed the job with perfect calm. He is not a man of many words but people listen with great attention when he does speak. He has taught me so much simply by having the opportunity to be around him and his work.
The topic most important to advancing the field of CT Surgery is:
We must lead the science. The future of our field lies in our ability to continuously demonstrate the added value of our knowledge contributions and abilities as surgeons. This will always be rooted in an exploration of disease biology and applying what an evolving surgical skill set can contribute to improving those facets of the disease that require this knowledge and ability.
The most pressing issues impacting CT surgery are:
In my view, there has been an unfortunate transition for surgeons to become purely outcomes researchers. This means that too many research projects are aimed at confirming the outcomes of existing surgical acts. We must not lose touch with our unique ability to explore and understand the diseases we treat better than any other discipline out there. Focusing our efforts in translational and fundamental science via our unique access to patients and biospecimens is of pivotal importance. We must also continuously find ways to foster and nurture the innovative spirit of surgical minds. We must better navigate the imperatives of volume building and the pure execution of surgery with innovation into areas where the solution may not be surgical. There is no reason in my mind why CT surgeons should not adopt a broader range of non-surgical skills that globally amplify our practice and impact.
Advice for Trainees:
CT Surgery is an extremely exciting and rapidly evolving specialty - embrace the change and keep an open mind to all the possible ways in which we can help patients.